ASU Hosts Eighth Annual Fall Business Plan Competition

Arkansas State University’s College of Business will host its eighth annual Fall Business Plan Competition.

The business proposal plan and entry forms are due by October 8th. The final round will be November 12, 2015.

Following last year’s success for Arkansas State teams at the Donald W. Reynolds Governor’s Cup – winnings totaling $35,000 – officials expect competition to be stronger than ever. This year’s winning package for the ASU competition will be $5,000.

“Because of the success from the Governor’s Cup competition, the level of competition will be highest as we have a good set of references that can be surpassed in the future. That is Dean (Shane) Hunt’s purpose to increase the awards this year,” concluded Dr. Erick Chang, associate professor of management.

In May, Joshua Baker, a graduate student and Iraqi War veteran, won the pitch contest at the Tri-state Governor’s Cup elevator pitch competition in Las Vegas while representing the Agricultural Innovations team that included Justin Bagley, Frank Kelley and Dirk Tanner, and engineering student Kenneth Rains.

In addition to the business plan competition, there will be a 90-second pitch contest and a Freshman category.

“This year, we are making progress toward the quality of the proposals and judging,” said Dr. Chang. “We have received confirmation from our panel of international judges living in Pakistan, Austria, Germany, Mexico, Guatemala and in parts of the U.S. In addition, we have already secured the participation of alumni and entrepreneurs in Jonesboro who will serve as judges for the final round of oral presentations in November.”

The competition is open to graduate and undergraduate students at ASU.